The High Court in Kisumu has declined to punish the Inspector General of Police and other state officials for contempt, saying they had shown progress in implementing orders on police conduct during public demonstrations.
Justice Alfred Mabeya instead directed the officials to give the court regular updates on the reforms, with the first report due on January 23, 2027 which will then be filed every four months until the court is satisfied that the orders have been fully implemented.
The case followed a March 25, 2026 ruling in which 28 people injured during the 2023 cost-of-living protests in Kisumu were awarded KSh38.5 million in compensation.
The court had also directed state agencies to put in place guidelines on how police handle public demonstrations and the use of force and the officials were later accused of ignoring the orders within the required period and failing to appear before the court as directed.
In his latest ruling, Justice Mabeya said he had considered their apologies as well as the steps taken after the matter came back to court.
“I have taken into consideration the fact that the contemnors have expressed remorse and have apologized for their failure to attend court as ordered,” the judge said.
The court was also informed that work had started on a legal framework for public order management and a proposed Bill is expected to go through public participation.
Justice Mabeya said the court would continue monitoring the process through the scheduled reports.
Lawyers representing the victims welcomed the decision, saying continued supervision would help ensure the reforms are actually carried out.
Law Society of Kenya Kisumu Chapter chairperson Dorcas Akinyi said the victims’ legal team was also ready to take part in the public participation process.
“We are happy that the court has given very clear timelines,” Akinyi said.
The case dates back to the 2023 anti-government protests in Kisumu, where the court found that the 28 victims were entitled to compensation.
